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Double Bass Where to audition ?

Hey,

I am trying to make a list of the schools I am going to apply at this fall.

I was just wondering if anyone know where I could study music at a high level and also have a strong liberal arts education, and finally receive a BS and a BA.

I know there is Oberlin, Juilliard with Columbia, Cincinnati, Barnard with MSM, Peabody with John Hopkins, Harvard or Tufts with NEC.
Any other ?

I was actually looking for schools that offer good FA packages, and schools that are not too competitive (like the cross-registration Harvard NEC, hum).

By the way, is there any place where I could find acceptance rates but just for double bass applicants, or sucessful applicants pre-screening or audition DVD or CD ?
I have tried on youtube but found nothing.

Thanks !!!
 
First, you are lucky that you play double bass as in my experience they are usually in demand and have far fewer applicants than say, violin.

That being said, I do think you should broaden your search to include other schools, like state schools that have good music programs or small liberal arts schools with music schools. That would be your best bet if you wanted to get a good liberal arts degree as well. One of those options would be a bit easier to get into and would not cost nearly as much. The schools you mentioned are good but they are also extremely competitive/selective. You would have to play very well and, if you're looking to cross-register with Harvard, have both the money and the grades (but mostly the money) to get into the school.

If you started at a less prestigious school you could always get your master's at one of the better ones after 4 years of intense practice.
 
try to find the teacher you want, it's the most important thing. though it may be hard for you if you are overseas. many great teachers from the conservatories you mentioned also teach at state universities and other schools which are way more affordable and less competitive. for example, i considered applying at SUNY purchase because tim cobb teaches there. he also teaches at julliard and manhattan. purchase is way more affordable than either of those schools. in the end, i decided to go to hartt primarily because of robert black but also because i got a very good scholarship.
 
OK, Thanks for your answers !! What about St Olaf ?

I was just wondering when conservatory, music school or music major applicants start to work on their required audition pieces, and how much time a day they practice.

It would be great to know how they balance their schedule, like how much time for scales and arpeggios, for the étude, for the sonata/concerto.

At what tempo do the teachers ask the applicant to play the scales, and with what bow strikes ?

Thanks !
 
Check out Rice, Yale, UCLA, USC, Indiana, and University of Wisconsin-Madison. All are great universities and conservatories.
Yeah a big shout out to Richard Davis and my home town!
I would recommend Lawrence University(akin to Oberlin with a 5 year double major), Butler University(I'm a freshman now, its incredible), any small liberal arts school that has a good bass professor.
 
Hey,

I am trying to make a list of the schools I am going to apply at this fall.

I was just wondering if anyone know where I could study music at a high level and also have a strong liberal arts education, and finally receive a BS and a BA.

I know there is Oberlin, Juilliard with Columbia, Cincinnati, Barnard with MSM, Peabody with John Hopkins, Harvard or Tufts with NEC.
Any other ?

I was actually looking for schools that offer good FA packages, and schools that are not too competitive (like the cross-registration Harvard NEC, hum).

By the way, is there any place where I could find acceptance rates but just for double bass applicants, or sucessful applicants pre-screening or audition DVD or CD ?
I have tried on youtube but found nothing.

Thanks !!!

check this out.

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Playing one bow style or the other probably used to mean your study options were limited, but times have changed. Practice as much as you can. How long is it going to take you to prepare your music to your satisfaction? Set goals for yourself and try to solve a problem every day with every piece you work on. Make your practice routine about making it easier to play the music, and pretty soon that's what it will be.

Your acceptance to many of those schools may be easier to obtain than a sufficient amount of money to study at them. If you think Juilliard and NEC are serious possibilities, you should start applying for as many independent scholarships as you can now, because those schools are really expensive, and getting in may be overshadowed by paying for it.